Chord bar for multi-stringed instrument



Sept. 17, 1968 ca. R PETERSON. JR 3,401,536

CHORD BAR FOR MULTI-STRINGED INSTRUMENT Filed Aug. 8, 1967 INVENTOR dlf/V l7. P6736750, J6.

A ATTORNEYJS United States Patent "ice 3,401,586 CHORD BAR FOR MULTl-STRINGED INSTRUMENT Glen R. Peterson, Jr., Summit, N.J., assignor to Oscar Schmidt-International, Inc., Union, NJ. Filed Aug. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 659,114 Claims. (Cl. 84287) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A chord bar for a multi-stringed instrument of the zither type has an extruded main body of substantially dimensionally stable material to which string dampers are attached and has a plastic rod along its top to which a finger-engaging button is attached.

This invention relates to musical instruments and more particularly to multi-stringed instruments of the zither type. A commercial variety bearing the trademark Autoharp is an example of the instrument under consideration.

Multi-stringed instruments of this nature have a plurality of side-by-side chord bars which are mounted above the strings, each chord bar having a series of spaced dampers or felts of varying length so that when the chord bar is depressed the felts damp out or silence all of the strings except those in a desired chord.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a chord bar which is easy to manufacture, strong, dimensionally stable, and whose exposed portion or top member can be made in a desired color and texture, will accept hot stamping of a label, and which can be chemically bonded to a plastic finger engageable button.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the invention;

FIG. 2, a bottom view;

FIG. 3, a section on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, a section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5, a section through the body of a typical instrument indicating the manner of use.

Briefly stated the chord bar includes an extruded channel section of dimensionally stable material such as aluminum which has dampers connected to the bottom web, a closure rod or strip overlying the open top of the channel section and engaged therewith to prevent inadvertent removal, the strip being of plastic whose color can be selected and which is preferably an extrusion, and a plastic button mounted on the strip and chemically bonded thereto to avoid separation.

With further reference to the drawing, the chord bar has a main body which is an extruded channel section having substantially parallel sides 11 and a bottom web 12. The upper extremities of the sides have flange portions 13 which extend inwardly between the sides but 3,401,586 Patented Sept. 17, 1968 which are spaced apart to provide a lengthwise opening 14.

Damper means or felts 15 of selected length are securely fastened, as by adhesive, to the under side of the web 12 and are spaced to provide openings 16 in accordance with a desired chord, as is Well known in the art.

A closure strip or rod 20 extends longitudinally of the main body 10. It is substantially T-shape in cross-section having an upper main portion 21, a reduced central portion 22 which is received in the opening 14 of the main body, and a lower portion 23 which extends laterally to engage the inner surfaces of the sides 11 of the main body.

The strip is preferably of extruded plastic and can be easily engaged with the main body by sliding the two together. They may then be secured against separation by indenting a dimple 25 into the side of the channel just beneath the inwardly extending side portion.

A plastic finger-engaging member or button 27 is mounted on the upper surface of the strip 20 by chemical bonding, which is superior to ordinary adhesives.

Because of the materials and the manner of manufacture, the chord bar can be accurately made and has minimum shrinkage and expansion. The closure strip and button can be selected from varied colors and textures as required.

What is claimed is:

1. A chord bar for a musical instrument comprising an extruded channel section having substantially parallel sides, a bottom web, the upper extremities of the sides having portions extending inwardly between the sides and defining the open portion of the section which is remote from the web, a closure strip extending longitudinally of the channel section, the closure strip having a relatively fiat main portion overlying the top of the channel section which is remote from the web and having connected portions engaging the upper extremity of the channel section, and spaced damper means attached to said web.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which the closure strip is formed of an extrusion, said strip slideably engaging said channel section.

3. The invention of claim 1, said strip formed of plastic of a selected color.

4. The invention of claim 3 in which said strip has a hot-stamped label.

5. The invention of claim 1 in which said closure strip is of plastic, and a plastic button mounted on said closure strip and chemically bonded thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,401,571 6/1946 Konter 84-287 RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

G. M. POLUMBUS, Assistant Examiner. 

